Stanley Crooks, the chairman of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community of Minnesota, died on Saturday. He was 70.

Crooks led his tribe for more than 20 years. During his tenure, the tribe became one of the most financially successful, thanks to Indian gaming, but also the most generous.

"We feel we have an obligation to help others. It's part of our culture as Dakota people. It is who we are," Crooks frequently said. Since 1996, the tribe has donated $243.5 million to tribes and charitable organizations and has loaned another $478.5 million to tribes.

Crooks served as a past chairman of the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association and was the tribe's representative to the National Indian Gaming Association. He also represented the tribe with the National Congress of American Indians.

“Chairman Crooks was a leader in every sense of the word. I am honored to have worked with Stanley over the last 20 years and especially over the last eight months on the Tribal Council. He was a true mentor and a true leader," Vice Chairman Charlie Vig said in a statement. "We join with his family, friends, and all those who were privileged to know Chairman Crooks in mourning his passing. We offer our deepest sympathies to his family in this difficult time.”

Vig will now serve as chairman and the vice chair post will be filled by Secretary/Treasurer Keith B. Anderson. The tribe will hold an election to fill the secretary/ treasurer post.

Get the Story:
Chairman Of Shakopee Mdewaketon Dies (WCCO 8/25)
Tribal leader Stanley Crooks dies at 70 (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 8/26)
Obituary: Stanley Crooks led tribe to national influence (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 8/26)
Stanley Crooks, chairman of Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, dies at 70 (The St. Paul Pioneer Press 8/26)
Stanley Crooks, Chairman of Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, dies (AP 8/26)
Minn. tribal leader Crooks dies at 70 (UPI 8/27)